The cost to paint the exterior of a house in California is something every homeowner thinks about before picking up a brush or calling a contractor. Fall is one of the best times to tackle exterior painting here, with milder temperatures and lower humidity helping paint dry evenly and last longer. Of course, we all want to know roughly what that’s going to cost us when it comes to our specific property. In this guide, we’ll break down pricing for several different sizes of homes and help you weigh whether the DIY route makes sense or if hiring a professional is the better choice for your skills and budget. If you need the exterior of your house painted, we serve the entire Sacramento area, including Auburn and Folsom, with home remodeling, general contracting, and painting.
Cost to Paint a 1500 sq. ft. Exterior
There are a lot of factors that determine the cost to paint a house exterior in California. The size of your home is obviously a big one, but the quality of paint and complexity of the job all play a part. Keep in mind that the more prep work that’s required to clean or repair the surface, the higher the cost will be.
The average total cost to paint your basic 1500 sq. foot home in California will generally range between $3,200 and $6,000. This amount is based on calculating between $2-$4 per square foot.
Cost to Paint a 2000 sq. ft. Exterior
The total cost to paint a 2,000 square foot house is typically around $4,300 to $8,500 in California. This estimate includes all aspects of the job, from preparation like cleaning, scraping, and minor repairs, to primer and topcoat application. Painting a house of this size usually takes about 20 hours for two painters, which means labor alone will run between $1,200 and $1,600. For a home this size, you can expect to use roughly 20 gallons of paint, depending on the type of surface and how many coats are needed.
Cost to Paint a 3000 sq. ft. Exterior
Painting a 3,000 square foot exterior is obviously a bigger project, so the costs naturally increase. In California, homeowners can generally expect the total to fall between $6,500 and $12,000. A house of this size typically requires about 30 gallons of paint and often takes a crew of two painters around 30 to 35 hours to complete. Labor for a job like this usually ranges from $1,800 to $2,800, depending on experience and efficiency of the crew.
What’s Included in Exterior House Painting?
It’s always a good idea to do your research and know exactly what’s included in a full-service exterior paint job before you commit. Most painting services handle all the surface preparation, including minor repairs, caulking gaps around windows and doors, and scraping off any loose paint or debris. They also protect areas that shouldn’t be painted, like landscaping, walkways, and fixtures, with drop clothes or tape.
Painting crews usually provide high-quality materials as part of the service. This might include items from primers and specialty coatings to brushes and rollers. Most professional painters also apply multiple coats to ensure even coverage for the best results. Make sure to inquire if they include clean-up and disposal of leftover paint and supplies, as well as a final inspection.
What’s Not Included?
Major repairs like replacing rotted wood, repairing extensive stucco damage, or fixing structural issues typically aren’t included with a standard paint job. If trees and shrubs need to be cut back to do the job, plan on paying extra or calling in a landscaping company. Specialty finishes, custom textures, or premium paints beyond the standard options will also be an upcharge.
Painting Wood vs Stucco vs Brick vs Metal
Different exteriors require very specific prep work and special materials. It’s helpful to be aware of what condition your surface needs to be in before you start painting or hire a pro:
Wood: Wood siding and trim usually need careful prep before painting. Typically, the first step starts with sanding rough spots and removing any peeling or flaking paint. Holes, cracks, or dents should be filled with exterior-grade wood filler, and any rotted sections should be replaced. After sanding and filling, the surface should be wiped down to remove dust, dirt, or debris.
Brick: Exterior brick often needs a bit of attention before painting. Pressure washing is almost always the first step to remove dirt, mildew, and chalky residue. After cleaning, inspect the mortar joints for cracks or crumbling sections. Repointing or patching the mortar ensures the surface is stable and ready for paint. Any loose or flaking paint on the brick itself should be scraped off. A masonry primer is sometimes applied to help the paint adhere evenly, especially on older brick that has never been painted.
Metal: Metal surfaces, including doors, railings, or shutters, need to be prepped to avoid rust and ensure a smooth finish. Prep usually includes sanding off rust, corrosion, or old paint. The surface should be cleaned thoroughly to remove dust, grease, or oil. A rust-inhibiting primer is essential on bare or previously rusted metal. Small dents or imperfections can be filled with an exterior-grade filler, and surrounding areas should be masked off to prevent overspray.
Stucco: Stucco walls are textured and porous, so the right kind of perp is a must for the best long-lasting results. Pressure washing is standard to remove dirt and debris. Cracks or chips should be patched with a flexible exterior filler made for stucco. In some cases, a masonry primer is applied to help paint stick evenly and prevent uneven absorption. Because stucco is textured, painters often need extra time to make sure paint gets into all the nooks and crevices.
Keep in mind that if you choose to do the prep for your home, no matter the surface, you’ll pay less when it comes time to hire a professional. If you’d rather leave it for the contractor to take care of, just know it will be reflected in your final bill.
DIY Costs
- Paint – 15 to 30 gallons, depending on house size and number of coats
- Primer – 5 to 10 gallons, depending on surface and previous paint
- Caulk and Sealants – $20 to $50 for filling gaps and cracks
- Brushes and Rollers – $50 to $150 for various sizes and types
- Paint Trays and Liners – $10 to $30
- Drop Cloths and Plastic Sheeting – $20 to $60 to protect landscaping and floors
- Ladders – $100 to $300, or rental fees
- Sandpaper and Scrapers – $10 to $30 for prep work
- Painter’s Tape – $10 to $20 for windows, trim, and edges
- Safety Gear – $20 to $50 for gloves, masks, goggles, and work clothes
- Optional Sprayer Rental – $50 to $100 per day if using a paint sprayer
Costs When Hiring a Professional Painter
When hiring a professional to paint your home’s exterior, the total cost generally comes down to two main areas: supplies and labor. Supplies cover everything needed for a high-quality finish, while labor accounts for the painters’ time, expertise, and use of specialized equipment.
Breakdown of Costs for Hiring a Professional:
- Supplies – Paint, primer, caulk, masking tape, drop cloths, and other materials. For a 2,000 square foot home, supplies typically run between $800 and $1,200, depending on the type of paint and primer used.
- Labor – Painters’ wages, use of ladders, scaffolding, brushes, rollers, and sprayers. Labor for a home this size generally costs between $1,200 and $1,600 for a standard exterior job.
DIY Cost vs Hiring Professionals
DIY painting might seem like the obvious money-saver. You don’t have to pay for labor, and you can stretch your budget on supplies. You also get to work on your own schedule and pace, which is nice if you have that kind of flexibility.
That said, DIY isn’t always cheaper in the long run. If you make mistakes, paint unevenly, or have to redo sections, the cost of extra paint and time can definitely add up quickly. If you have a two-story home, doing the work yourself can be even more complicated and costly. You’ll need ladders, brushes, rollers, or even a sprayer, and that equipment can be pricey to buy or rent. Plus, painting can be physically exhausting, and without experience, it can take weeks instead of days.
Hiring professionals changes the cost equation and will no doubt cost significantly more. Labor fees are higher upfront, but pros bring speed, skill, and efficiency that often balance the price. They know the right techniques for different surfaces, how to handle prep work like sanding or priming, and to finish the job faster without wasting paint.
Pros and Cons of DIY
Pros:
- Saves money on labor costs
- Full control over schedule and pace
- Can be personally satisfying to complete the project yourself
- You can choose your own paint and techniques
Cons:
- Can be very time-consuming, especially on large homes
- Requires skill and experience for a professional-looking finish
- Mistakes can be costly or hard to fix
- You need to provide all your own tools and equipment
- Can be very physically demanding
Pros and Cons of Hiring Professionals
Pros:
- Saves you time and physical effort
- Professional finish with experience and proper techniques
- Access to quality tools, equipment, and specialized paints
- Can often handle prep work like scraping, sanding, and priming efficiently
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost due to labor fees
- Less control over the schedule and pace of the job
- You have to research and trust the right contractor
- Potential miscommunication about color choices or project details
Painting Methods
There are a few common painting methods typically used for exterior jobs. Basically, you can use a sprayer or go the rollers and brushes route. Sprayers are super fast, which is great if you’re trying to cover a lot of surface quickly. The downside is that there can be a lot of wasted paint. Overspray is common, and that often means you end up needing more coats of paint than you would with other methods. Sprayers also struggle with thicker paints, so if you’ve got a heavy exterior paint, a sprayer might not give you the smooth finish you want.
Rollers and brushes, on the other hand, take more time and a lot more effort. Painting by hand is labor-intensive, and it can take longer to get the same coverage as a sprayer. The upside is that you’re more precise, there’s no overspray, and you usually get better adhesion with thicker paints. This method works well on textured surfaces and trim because you can really get the paint into all the little nooks and crannies.
The Cost To Paint The Exterior Of A House in California
When it comes down to it, painting your home’s exterior is a big investment, and the cost is a big part of the decision. Whether you go the DIY route or hire pros, knowing what you’re likely to spend on paint, supplies, and labor helps you plan without surprises. It’s all about finding the balance between what you’re willing to spend and how much time and effort you want to put in. Taking the time to budget and weigh your options usually pays off in the long run.
If you decide that hiring a professional painting contractor in the Sacramento area is the way to go, contact our experienced team at LNL Construction. We’re trusted not only for exterior and interior painting jobs but also for remodels and upgrades of all kinds.
